It's becoming more and more clear that Bynum will not be in the lineup when the Sixers open their season next Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets.

CHARLES FOXAndrew Bynum on the sideline has been a familiar sight for Sixers fans this preseason

The Sixers preseason has been a roller coaster ride to say the least.

They finished with an impressive 6-1 record, the offense looks great, and all of the off-season acquisitions that suited up were impressive.

But one very big, very important acquisition has yet to take the floor. And despite the calming message the team is sending out about Andrew Bynum, the excited fans that packed the Constitution Center at his introductory press conference are now getting very worried.

Despite hope that he might be ready by the end of October, it's becoming more and more clear that Bynum will not be in the lineup when the Sixers open their season next Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets.

The spin job to keep the fans excited has been in full effect by everyone close to Bynum.

General Manager Tony DiLeo said this week that Bynum would not start "basketball activities" until he was completely pain free- but said if this were April or May, Bynum could play.

David Lee, Bynum’s agent, has called the injections Bynum has received in the past month “routine."

The Sixers' history of acquiring All-Star big men in the past is reason enough to worry- Chris Webber’s tenure will make any fan's blood boil. But with Bynum still not able to suit up, it has to make you wonder if Bynum’s knees are in worse condition than the team is letting on, and that, maybe, the Sixers have damaged goods on their hands.

So with news about Bynum's knee continuing to get worse and with the season opener only days away, it seems fair to ask: Is it now time to worry about Andrew Bynum?